Director of Finance and Administration

Outward Bound is an international experiential educational movement dedicated to the belief that people are capable of far more than they know. Founded in 1992, Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) strives to change lives through challenge and discovery. POBS serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and northern Delaware and is one of eleven regional Outward Bound schools in the United States.

As a robust 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, POBS has a $2.5M budget (contributed and earned income) and engages thousands of youth and adult participants annually in single and multi-day programs that inspire character development, leadership skills, and community service. All programs are designed to help participants in our communities realize their true potential.

SUMMARY

The Director of Finance and Administration, a member of the POBS leadership team, oversees all aspects of the organization’s fiscal function in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. The position requires strong analytical, strategic, and technical abilities, excellent management and communication skills, and a high level of financial expertise and nonprofit fund accounting. They must be able to identify, prevent, and correct any errors, and assure consistency between Quickbooks and Salesforce records. In addition to ongoing operations, they will lead special projects identified in POBS’ strategic plan, including creating a true cost assessment of existing programs, modeling opportunities for growth, and implementing best practice improvements related to financial management, record keeping, and administrative functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as the senior liaison to the Executive Director, the Finance Committee, the Board of Trustees, and other key stakeholders on all financial matters, proactively making recommendations and suggesting measures and strategies to ensure the satisfactory operation, financial condition, and sustainability of the organization
  • Provide oversight for and manage all budgets, forecasts, and internal financial plans and processes
  • Support accounting, general ledger and operations functions, and ensure that systems are in place which provide (i) satisfactory internal controls (including oversight of department-level spending), (ii) timely, accurate, and comprehensible reporting, including but not limited to: accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts records management, account reconciliations, and monthly financial reports, and (iii) develop and track relevant key performance indicators
  • Develop, document, and maintain best practices and standard operating procedures for accounting and administrative policies, procedures, and management
  • Participate in internal planning to ensure alignment of program, development, and other organizational activities with current and prospective financial conditions and projections
  • Conduct regular reporting, measuring projections against actual performance and applying financial data to assess the impact of programs
  • Generate monthly, annual, and other periodic reports and/or forecasts as needed to monitor, evaluate, and optimize POBS’ cash flow and liquidity
  • Ensure that POBS fulfills all regulatory compliance requirements
  • Implement financial assessment, modeling, and analysis of current and projected operations to prioritize opportunities identified in POBS’ new strategic plan and help drive organizational next steps for growth
  • Oversee fund accounting processes including the general ledger in QuickbooksOnline and program payments and contributions recorded in Salesforce
  • Manage third party payroll system
  • Coordinate annual audit process, working with external auditors and the Finance Committee, including filing of forms 990, PA BCO-10, and NJ CR1-1501
  • Manage retirement plan administration and file Form 5500 annually
  • Coordinate with OBUSA national office to provide information needed for general liability, fleet auto coverage, D&O, umbrella, cyber, and other insurance coverage
  • Ensure adherence to POBS and OBUSA record retention policies
  • Help fulfill organization-wide DEI initiatives to attract highly qualified applicants and create a compassionate and effective workspace and organizational culture
  • Serve as member of POBS leadership team with Executive Director and Directors of Development, Program, and Education & Partnerships
  • Identify as needed support staff positions required to satisfactorily perform accounting and database processes and supervise hire(s)
  • Supervise Associate Director HR and Culture including relationships with brokers for medical, dental, short-term disability, and life insurance and processes for employee clearances

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

  • Commitment to POBS’ mission, programs, and values and knowledge of (or eagerness to learn about) Outward Bound’s history and educational framework
  • Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and principles, including fund and accrual accounting, cash management, and implementation of internal controls
  • Creative thinker and problem solver with keen analytical, organizational, and communication skills
  • Ability to translate financial concepts for and work with a wide range of internal and external audiences
  • Knowledge of Quickbooks or other fund accounting software and Salesforce
  • Team player with ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, self-direct, and work with humor and compassion in a fast-paced office
  • Familiarity with nonprofit organizations
  • Supervisory experience

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE

  • 8+ years of professional experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Management; MBA, CPA or other professional accounting certification preferred

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please email cover letter and resume to Courtney Disston at [email protected]. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be considered as they are received.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Philadelphia Outward Bound School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.